Erika Lott, Rivers Bond Obituary, Death: Mother and son confirmed as victims in Moore flooding

Erika Lott, Rivers Bond Obituary, Death – The Moore Police Department has identified the two victims who tragically lost their lives in a flash flooding incident on Saturday night. The victims were 44-year-old Erika Lott and her 12-year-old son, Rivers Bond. According to authorities, their vehicle was swept off the road and into a drainage ditch near Southeast 12th Street and South Eastern Avenue in Moore, Oklahoma.

The incident occurred around 9 p.m. during a period of heavy rainfall that led to sudden flooding in the area. Police reported that a third individual inside the vehicle managed to escape unharmed. After an extensive search and rescue operation that lasted several hours, emergency crews recovered the bodies of Lott and Bond around 2 a.m. on Sunday morning.

The tragic accident deeply affected the local community, particularly Apple Creek Elementary School, where Rivers was a sixth-grade student. The school, located not far from the site of the crash, sent a letter to families expressing grief over the loss of one of their own. Principal Rachel McNear shared the heartbreaking news with students and parents, offering words of sympathy and support during this difficult time.

“It is with profound sadness that I share the heartbreaking news that one of our sixth-grade students, Rivers Bond, and his mother tragically passed away during the severe flooding last night,” McNear wrote. She emphasized the importance of parental support in helping students process the loss, acknowledging that each child copes with grief in their own way.

To help students navigate their emotions, Apple Creek Elementary arranged for counselors and support staff to be available starting Monday. These professionals will provide a space for students to ask questions, express their feelings, and find comfort in a safe environment.

“As we navigate this loss together, we ask that you hold Rivers’ family in your thoughts and hearts,” McNear added in the letter. “Please take extra time to hug your children a little tighter today. Life can be unbearably fragile, and now more than ever, we lean on the strength and compassion of our community.”

The letter struck a chord with many families, reminding them of the preciousness of life and the importance of community support in times of tragedy. Parents were encouraged to talk openly with their children about the incident and to be there emotionally as the school community begins to heal.

In a related incident, Moore police confirmed that another vehicle in the same area was also swept off the road by floodwaters. That vehicle, described as a truck, carried two people who managed to escape safely. Authorities have not released further information on those individuals, but they confirmed that both were rescued without injury.

Officials noted that the area where the flooding occurred is not typically prone to such dangerous conditions. The event came as a surprise, and police said that South Cobb Boulevard had not experienced similar flooding problems in the past. This has prompted questions about whether the city will conduct additional evaluations or take preventative measures to address drainage concerns moving forward.

The loss of Erika Lott and Rivers Bond has sent waves of sorrow throughout Moore, a city that now finds itself rallying in support of the grieving family. Local leaders and residents have begun expressing their condolences and offering help, while memorial efforts may soon take shape as the community seeks to honor the lives of the mother and son.

Meanwhile, police and emergency officials continue to assess the area and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. They are looking into how the vehicle became trapped in the floodwaters and why the drainage system failed to prevent such a severe outcome. While natural disasters like flash floods can be unpredictable, city officials are under pressure to ensure that similar tragedies are avoided in the future.

The weekend’s events are a somber reminder of the dangers posed by severe weather, particularly flash flooding. Emergency responders have once again urged residents to exercise extreme caution during storms and to avoid driving through flooded areas, even if the water appears shallow. “Turn around, don’t drown” is a common phrase used in public safety campaigns to warn drivers of the hazards of water-covered roads.

As Moore comes to terms with this heartbreaking loss, support continues to pour in from across the region. Community members are organizing ways to assist the family and ensure that Erika and Rivers are remembered not only for how they died, but for how they lived—as a loving mother and a bright young student full of promise.

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing, and authorities have not released any additional details at this time. In the days ahead, Moore will continue to grieve, support one another, and begin the process of healing from a tragedy that has deeply touched all who knew the victims.